Building positive, meaningful relationships with students is at the heart of Goddard Middle School. Walking through the halls of GMS, it’s common to discover Mr. Marcus James, Assistant Principal, interacting with students, several of whom he’s created a unique handshake with. One particular student visiting with Mr. James stood out. If you are a fan of the NFL, and know something about the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, those two teams don’t typically belong in the same outfit.
Bradyn Lear, an 8th-grade student, has a special connection with Mr. James, as he has become a mentor and accountability buddy. Over the fall semester, Mr. James would constantly check in with Bradyn, asking him about how his favorite NFL team, the Eagles, was doing and what his predictions would be when they played the Cowboys. Mr. James, of course, is the greatest Cowboys fan of all time. After a series of visits, a friendly wager was placed on the game. If the Cowboys win, Bradyn would have to wear a Cowboys jersey, and if the Eagles win, Mr. James would make a schoolwide announcement, declaring his new favorite NFL team to be the Eagles. The Cowboy jersey Bradyn was wearing, following the game, indicated the outcome of the game.
When asked about Mr. James, Bradyn said, “My dad’s name, my middle name, and his last name are all ‘James’, so I knew we would get along. It’s exciting to come to school and have someone to connect with. It’s fun and gives me confidence. I feel seen in the halls and Mr. James will not let me pass without a handshake and a quick check-in on my day. He is getting more students involved in attending games and is always in the lunchroom asking us trivia questions. Anytime I have a hard time in class, he’ll listen, and give me great advice.”
These comments were confirmed after visiting with a colleague of Mr. James saying, “He brings the energy. He has have handshakes with nearly every student. He is always in a good mood and will stop everything to connect with a student who needs it. He’ll do anything for anyone, and we’re glad to have him as part of our GMS family.”
Bradyn moved school districts over Winter Break, but the relationship he formed with Mr. James will have a lasting impact on his life. In speaking with Bradyn’s father, James Lear, he said, “It’s amazing to see how much of a role model Mr. James is for his students. He goes out of his way to fight for the kids that need it the most. It’s not easy, and what he does is real. He had my son’s respect because he earned that respect. I can never repay what GMS has done for my son. For someone who may have felt lost, you made him feel heard and valued.”
As we were leaving GMS, Bradyn said, “I may be going to a new school, but I will never forget Mr. James.”
